Try bitesize pieces of the trail before lunch

RIDING the 36km extension of the Great Southern Rail Trail from Leongatha to Nyora, or part thereof, can be a real adventure.

A snake, a swooping magpie, a ‘Yes’ sign in support of the referendum, a stop at ‘Hilda Falls’, a picturesque waterfall between Korumburra and Loch that many don’t know exists, a stop at Kellys Bakery in Korumburra for lunch and some eclectic shopping at Loch to bookend the trip…

And that’s just the 15.4km section between Korumburra and Loch last Saturday!

The whole Leongatha to Nyora extension cost $6 million, by the time it was completed in December 2021, but it’s a facility that will be there forever, even if the trains do return to Leongatha someday, so it’s money well spent.

Stretching 108.8km altogether between Nyora and Port Welshpool, the Great Southern Rail Trail is one of the longest, most interesting and picturesque rail trails in Australia but the best things about it is, you can take it on in bite-size pieces.

Nyora to Loch for shopping and a bit of exercise, 5.5km both ways, Loch to Korumburra (stopping at Hilda Falls) 15.4km each way, Korumburra to Leongatha the perfect out-and-back distance of 15.8km each way, down the big hill Leongatha to Koonwarra 7.8km or a better option, park at Koonwarra and take the out-and-back 8.2km (each way) over the three Tarwin bridges to Meeniyan for coffee and cake.

It gets a bit more serious, Meeniyan to Fish Creek and back at 18.3km both ways, but the exhilarating run into Fishy, and the rural views along the way are well worth it.

Fish Creek to Foster is a spectacular trip, with enormous views of Corner Inlet and the Prom (12.4km each way) but best attempted Foster to Fish Creek to get the big hill over and done with early.

The rest of the trip; Foster to Toora 10.2km, Toora to Welshpool 10.2km and Welshpool to Port Welshpool (5km) to walk the Long Jetty can be attempted at the same time, on a weekend day.

Oh yes, and the snake! On an occasionally sunny day last Saturday, stretching out across the rail trail, halfway between Korumburra and Loch was a black snake (not identified), enjoying some of its first rays of the spring, and not in any hurry to move.

After a photo, he cottoned on however, and moved surprisingly fast into the undergrowth and was gone.

The swooping magpie came out of the trees about 5km east of Korumburra but didn’t go the full kamikaze, although still worth taking precautions.

After 100 years of operation, passenger rail services to Leongatha ceased on July 24, 1993 (101 years after it opened in 1892), 30 years ago but its great to see the old rail reserve being put to good use, and the towns along the way have certainly embraced the riders looking to enhance their active sightseeing.

For those without a bike pop along to Great Southern Ride (Whitelaw Street) in Meeniyan and pick up a set of wheels for your adventure.